Communication and data entry device

ABSTRACT

A personal communication and data entry device comprises a portable housing, an internal controller coupled to the housing, a paging device coupled to the controller, and at least one of a voice recording device, a cellular telephone transceiver, a radio transceiver for two-way communication, and an infrared transmitter coupled to the controller.

[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/187,696, filed Nov. 6, 1998, which claims the benefit of U.S.application Ser. No. 60/064,709, the disclosures of which are expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to communication and dataentry devices, and particularly to devices for use by personnel such asdoctors and nurses in a hospital environment. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to communication devices carried by medicalcaregivers for receiving signals directed to members of a hospital teamand data entry devices for processing voice information dictated by acaregiver.

[0003] Communication devices such as pagers and data entry devices suchas dictating machines are known. Caregivers in hospital environments usesuch devices routinely to receive messages and to record informationabout patients. For example, doctors and registered nurses may dictatepatient status reports or data observed during surgical procedures. Inaddition, when a team of doctors and nurses are needed in an operatingroom, separate paging signals are sometimes sent to the pagers of eachteam member to assemble the team. Hospitals may charge patients on anhourly basis for some medical services and for use of hospital resourcessuch as operating rooms. Therefore, decreasing the time spent assemblingteams, decreasing the time spent by team members performing tasks suchas dictating patient reports, and decreasing the number of personnelneeded on a team each result in decreased medical costs. Furthermore,rapid assembly of a team can be of critical importance when a patienthas a life threatening injury or medical condition that requires promptmedical attention.

[0004] According to aspects of the present invention, a system forpaging members of a medical team includes a paging signal dispatchsystem and a plurality of pagers. The paging signal dispatch systemincludes a transmitter configured to broadcast a paging signalconfigured to page a plurality of pagers simultaneously and a receiverconfigured to receive a page acknowledge return signal from each of theplurality of pagers. Each pager includes a receiver configured toreceive the paging signal, a transmitter configured to send a pageacknowledge return signal, and a user input device coupled to thetransmitter. The pager is configured to send the page acknowledge returnsignal based on an input to the user input device.

[0005] In illustrative embodiments, the dispatch system transmitter isconfigured to send a paging signal for direct reception by pagerreceivers that are within a predetermined distance of the dispatchsystem. The dispatch system transmitter can be configured to send apaging signal for indirect reception through at least one paging signalrepeater by pager receivers that are outside a predetermined distance ofthe dispatch system. The pager transmitter can be configured to send apage acknowledge return signal for direct reception by the dispatchsystem receiver. The pager transmitter can be configured to send a pageacknowledge return signal for indirect reception through at least onesignal repeater by the dispatch system receiver. The dispatch system canbe configured to indicate whether each of the plurality has acknowledgeda paging signal within a predefined amount of time after sending thepaging signal.

[0006] In illustrative embodiments, the dispatch system transmitter isconfigured to broadcast a first paging signal configured to page a firstplurality of pagers simultaneously and second paging signal configuredto page a second plurality of pagers simultaneously and a receiverconfigured to receive a page acknowledge return signal from each of thefirst and second pluralities of pagers. The plurality of pagers includesfirst and second pluralities of pagers. Each pager includes a receiverconfigured to receive one of the first and second paging signals, atransmitter configured to send a page acknowledge return signal, and auser input device coupled to the transmitter. Each pager is configuredto send the page acknowledge return signal based on an input to the userinput device. The dispatch system transmitter is configured to broadcastthe first paging signal at a first frequency and the second pagingsignal at a second frequency different from the first frequency.

[0007] In illustrative embodiments, each pager includes a radiotransceiver for two-way communication with other pagers. A firstplurality of pagers can be configured to communicate at a firstfrequency and a second plurality of pagers configured to communicate ata second frequency different from the first frequency.

[0008] In illustrative embodiments, each pager includes an infraredtransmitter configured to send an identifying signal. The dispatchsystem includes a plurality of infrared receivers configured to receivethe identifying signals and is configured to determine locations ofpagers based on reception of the identifying signals. The dispatchsystem is configured to identify a location of a pager that has notacknowledged a paging signal within a predefined amount of time aftersending the paging signal. The dispatch system can further be configuredto identify a location of a substitute pager if a pager has notacknowledged a paging signal within a predefined amount of time aftersending the paging signal, and to send a paging signal to the substitutepager.

[0009] In illustrative embodiments, the pager includes a voice recordingdevice. The voice recording device can be voice activated. The recordingdevice can store data in an digital format, and the pager can beconfigured to transmit the data to a remote system, for example over awireless communication link.

[0010] In illustrative embodiments, the pager includes a display and isconfigured to store information related to a patient for output on thedisplay. The pager can include a user input device to enter patientinformation and be configured to transmit entered information to aremote system. The pager can further be configured to receive patientinformation from a remote system for output on the display.

[0011] In illustrative embodiments, the pager includes a cellulartelephone transceiver. The pager can be configured to couple to acaregiver's wrist, or to a belt around a caregiver's waist, or to astrap around a caregiver's neck. A flexible sterile sheath can beconfigured to surround the pager.

[0012] According to other aspects of the invention, an integratedpersonal communication and data entry device includes a portable housingand an internal controller. A paging device and a voice recording deviceare both coupled to the controller. Either the paging device or thevoice recording device can provide the controller. The integrated devicecan further include a cellular telephone transceiver and/or a radiotransceiver for two-way communication coupled to the controller. Thevoice recording device can be configured to digitize voice data and totransform the digitized voice data into computer readable text data.

[0013] According to illustrative embodiments, the integrated devicefurther includes a clock coupled to the controller and the voicerecording device is configured to record a time and date from the clockcorresponding to recorded voice data. The integrated device can includean input device to enter a user identification code and the voicerecording device can be configured to record voice data only after entryof a predefined user identification code. The voice recording device canbe configured to record voice data only if the voice data corresponds topredefined voice print information. The voice recording device can becoupled to a transceiver configured to transmit voice information over awireless communication link to a hospital data system. The voicerecording device can be configured to transmit patient identificationinformation to the hospital data system to enable storage of voiceinformation from the voice recording device related to a patient on thehospital data system.

[0014] According to illustrative embodiments, the integrated deviceincludes an input device coupled to the housing, an output devicecoupled to the housing, and a transceiver coupled to the housing to sendand receive information over a wireless communication link to a hospitaldata system. The integrated device is configured to accept patientidentification information from the input device, to send the patientidentification information to the hospital data system, to receivepatient data from the hospital data system based on the patientidentification information, and to display the patient data on theoutput device. The voice recording device can provide the input device.The output device can be a backlit liquid crystal display. Theintegrated device can be configured to provide at least one prompt onthe output device for entry of patient status information based onpatient data received from the hospital system. The integrated devicecan be configured to provide at least one prompt on the output device torecord at least one predetermined category of patient statusinformation.

[0015] According to still other aspects of the invention, an integratedpersonal communication and data entry device includes a portablehousing, an internal controller, and a paging device and a cellulartelephone transceiver coupled to the controller. The integrated devicecan further include a radio transceiver for two-way communication, aninfrared transmitter, and/or a voice recording device

[0016] According to yet still other aspects of the invention, anintegrated personal communication and data entry device includes aportable housing, an internal controller, and a paging device and aradio transceiver for two-way communication coupled to the controller.The integrated device can further include a cellular telephonetransceiver, an infrared transmitter, and/or a voice recording device.

[0017] According to other aspects of the invention, an integratedpersonal communication and data entry device includes a portablehousing, an internal controller, an a paging device and an infraredtransmitter coupled to the controller. The integrated device can furtherinclude a cellular telephone transceiver, a radio transceiver fortwo-way communication, and/or a voice recording device.

[0018] According to still other aspects of the invention, a voiceoperated controller for medical equipment includes a voice recorderconfigured to digitize and recognize voice commands and a transmitterconfigured to send commands recognized by the voice recorder to amedical equipment controller. The controller can be configured to sendcommands over a wireless communication link. The controller can includea housing coupled to the voice recorder and transmitter that isconfigured to be coupled to a caregiver's head to position an inputdevice for the voice recorder near the caregiver's mouth.

[0019] Additional features of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detaileddescription of the presently perceived best mode of carrying out theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanyingfigures in which:

[0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a data entry and communicationdevice according to the present invention in a wrist band configuration;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an the device of FIG. 1 coupled toa caregiver's belt;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a caregiver wearing the device ofFIG. 1, showing reception of voice data for use either as a datarecorder or as a two-way communication device;

[0024]FIG. 4 is a perspective view somewhat similar to FIG. 3 showingautomatic reception of signal information;

[0025]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment deviceaccording to the present invention coupled to a caregiver's belt andconfigured to send a signal to a ceiling-mounted receiver for trackingpersonnel location;

[0026]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 5 showing adisplay with patient information stored within the device, a microphone,user input buttons, and a data interface for uploading information; and

[0027]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a medical caregiver wearing ahead-mounted, voice-operated medical equipment controller;

[0028]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the caregiver of FIG. 7 usingthe voice-operated controller to command a surgical table;

[0029]FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an architecture of an integrated dataentry and communication device according to the present invention; and

[0030]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an architecture of a pagingsystem for use with the integrated device of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] An integrated personal communication and data entry device 10includes a housing 12 configured to be coupled to a caregiver's wrist, adisplay 14, and a pair of buttons 16, 18 as shown in FIG. 1. Asdiscussed in more detail below, in various embodiments, integrateddevice 10 includes some or all of the following within compact housing12: a paging device, a voice recording device, a cellular telephonedevice, and a radio communication device. By merging several functionsinto a single integrated device 10, the present invention increases theefficiency of medical caregivers and reduces costs associated withproviding medical services.

[0032] Advances in miniaturization of electronic components allowsintegrated communication and data entry device 10 to contain in acompact package the electronic components needed to perform multiplefunctions. For example, a single integrated circuit can digitize andstore voice data for subsequent access or processing. Infraredtransmitters allow for real-time monitoring of the location of device 10throughout a building equipped with infrared receivers. Commerciallyavailable radio transceivers provide two-way “walkie talkie”communication functions in a very small, power efficient package. Pagertechnology likewise provides for diminutive packaging, and is readilyadapted to signal multiple members of a medical team simultaneously.Integrating these various technologies, each of which by itself is knownto those skilled in the art, will benefit medical service providers andpatients alike by increasing the efficiency of providing medicalservices.

[0033] Integrated device 10 provides a convenient, highly portableapparatus for use by medical caregivers as shown in FIGS. 2-4. Forsituations where it is inconvenient or undesirable to couple device 10to a caregiver's wrist, device 10 can readily be affixed to acaregiver's belt 20 as shown in FIG. 2, attached to a strap or necklace(not shown) worn around a caregiver's neck, or carried about by acaregiver in any manner that is convenient. Integrated device 10provides both a recording and a two-way communication function that isconstantly accessible for hands-free use by the caregiver as shown inFIG. 3, allowing for input of voice signals 22 for dictation ofinformation such as notes, instructions, etc., as well as forcommunication with other personnel who are not in the caregiver'simmediate vicinity. Including built-in paging and radio communicationdevices in integrated device 10 provides for constant reception ofincoming communication signals 24 to maintain the caregiver'saccessibility, both within a hospital environment as well as from remotelocations.

[0034] An illustrative architecture for integrated device 10 includes acontroller 26 coupled to several interface modules as shown in FIG. 9.Controller 26 can be a microprocessor or microcontroller, with eitheron-board or separate memory, or it can be any type of specialized oroff-the-shelf component, such as a high speed digital signal processor,that includes or provides for integrating the various functions asrequired for device 10. Those skilled in the art understand that thereare many known techniques for providing or integrating the variousfunctions as discussed below.

[0035] Controller 26 is coupled to a voice recording module 28, acellular paging and telephony module 30, a radio communication module32, a wireless data communication module 34, a user input/output module36, and an infrared transmitter module 38. A power supply 27, such as abattery, is included in device 10 and coupled to one or more ofcontroller 26 and modules 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 as shown, for example, inFIG. 9. Those skilled in electronics understand that any number orportions of these modules can be provided by a single module or bycontroller 26, and that these modules can be cross-coupled as needed.For example, common circuitry for processing voice data is mostconveniently provided by a microphone input included in userinput/output module 36 and shared directly with voice recording,cellular paging and telephony, and radio communication modules 28, 30,32. Similarly, radio and data communication modules 32, 34 can beprovided by a single module, voice recording can be handled by softwareprovided in controller 26, etc.

[0036] Due to high costs associated with medical services provided byteams of caregivers, such as a surgical team, there are tremendous costsavings available by reducing the amount of time needed in assemblingsuch teams. The present invention addresses this issue as shown in FIG.10 by providing each team member with an integrated device 10 and byusing a paging dispatch system 40. Cellular paging and telephony module30 of each integrated device 10 assigned to a particular team canreadily be configured to receive a predefined paging signal and alertthe caregiver via an audible alert or vibration when the signal isreceived. Thus, when dispatch system 40 transmits the predefined pagingsignal, it will be received simultaneously by each team member. Tofacilitate utility, integrated device 10 provides for reprogramming thepaging signal or signals to which a particular device will respond.

[0037] Paging signal dispatch system 40 includes a transmitter 42 forsending paging signals as well as a receiver 44 for receiving pageacknowledge return signals from each of the plurality of integrateddevices 10. Transmitter 42 can be configured to send as many differentpaging signals as there are teams defined. The paging signal can be adirect, short-range radio frequency signal if all devices 10 arerelatively nearby, such as within a hospital complex, or it can be anindirect, or repeated signal generated by a repeater such as is used byconventional cellular or telephony based paging systems to reachpersonnel who may be on call at unknown locations, or it can be acombination of the two types of signals.

[0038] In order to expedite assembly of a medical team, anacknowledgment from each member that a paging signal has been receivedis used. Again, as with the paging signal itself, the acknowledge returnsignal can be implemented in a variety of ways, such as by a direct,short-range radio frequency signal within the same complex as dispatchsystem 40 using either radio or data communication module 32, 34, or theacknowledge return signal can come as a return telephone call over acellular network using cellular paging and telephony module 30, etc.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, integrated device 10 provides “answer”button 18 that initiates a short-range radio frequency acknowledgesignal and “call” button 16 that initiates a cellular telephone call.The acknowledge call can be to a number provided to integrated device 10with data encoded by the paging signal. In any case, dispatch system 40understands which responding device 10 is acknowledging its page.Dispatch system 40 is configured to determine which team membersacknowledged the page and can signal an alert if one or more membersfail to acknowledge within a predetermined amount of time of having sentthe paging signal. This amount of time can vary from a matter ofseconds, e.g., if the page is for a life threatening situation, to amatter of minutes or even hours, i.e., for non-emergency situations.

[0040] Referring back to FIG. 10, Infrared transmitter module 38 allowsfor integrated device 10 to be used with an infrared personnel trackingsystem 46. A coded IR signal unique to each integrated device 10 isreceived by IR receivers positioned throughout a facility in whichtracking is desired, such as a hospital. IR tracking system 46, such asthose described in application Ser. No. 08/963,396 entitled Personneland Asset Tracking Method and Apparatus and in application Ser. No.08/960,425 entitled Active Badge or Tag for a Locating and TrackingSystem, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference, is coupledto paging dispatch system 40 as shown in FIG. 10. Although aninfrared-based tracking system using an infrared transmitter module 38is shown, other personnel tracking technologies can be used, such as atracking system based on RF transmitters, or ultrasound transmitters,etc.

[0041] When dispatch system 40 detects a failure to acknowledge a pagingsignal, it can provide the location of the non-acknowledging device 10via an operator interface 48. Alternatively, a backup team member can beidentified by tracking the locations of potential replacements andidentifying one that meets specified criteria, such as proximity to theneeded location or having a known availability status, etc. The pagingdispatch system 40 can automatically page the replacement team member,or provide location information so that a critical team member can betracked down manually, or provide location information on both thenon-acknowledging team member and alternative replacements, etc.Operator interface 48 can be a provided as a visual, e.g., textual andgraphical interface, or it can be an electronic data interface toanother system.

[0042] Integrated device 10 further enhances communication betweenmembers of a medical team by providing for two-way radio communicationusing module 32. Again, these RF technologies are well understood in theelectronic arts. Integrated devices 10 allocated to different teams areconfigured to transmit on different predefined frequencies so that teamsdo not interfere with each other.

[0043] As mentioned above, integrated device 10 includes voice recordingmodule 28. Once again, such technologies are well known to those in theart and can be implemented with a single integrated circuit, or can beincluded as a function of a digital signal processor that implementsother functions of device 10, etc. In order to facilitate hands-freeoperation of device 10, voice recording module 28 can be configured tobe voice-activated. Using techniques as are known in the art, voicerecording module 28 can respond only to the appropriate voice print, orcan be configured to require an identification number before providingvoice recording features. Voice recording module 28 can store recordedinformation in memory provided by controller 26, or recorded data can besent by data communication module 34 to a remote system (not shown).

[0044] By transmitting voice data in real-time to a remote system,integrated device 10 provides the ability to store essentially unlimitedamounts of dictation. This allows the caregiver, such as a doctor or anurse, to dictate reports on procedures, patient status, etc., duringthe course of his or her activities, alleviating the need to allocatepost-activity time to dictating reports. This results in both time andcost efficiencies that benefit medical service providers as well aspatients. It also tends to improve the quality of reports due to theease of making them at the appropriate time while memory is still fresh.

[0045] Voice recording module 28 is further enhanced by datacommunication module 34 which allows patient information to be obtainedfrom a remote hospital data system. Controller 26 and voice recordingmodule 28 can be configured to use speech recognition to identify apatient's name or accept entry of some other indicia such as a patientidentification number, and transmit this information to the remote datasystem using data communication module 34. The remote hospital datasystem then provides specific patient history to controller 26. Userinput/output module 36 includes a display, such as a backlit liquidcrystal display, that provides this information to the medicalcaregiver. By interfacing with the hospital data system, device 10 canfurther be configured to prompt the caregiver to provide specificinformation, such as Joint Commission Required Vitals to ensurecompliance with required procedures.

[0046] A video communication module 35 further enhances utility ofintegrated device 10 by providing for communication of video data. Somesurgical procedures use miniaturized video cameras (not shown), such asin an endoscope, the signals from which can be transmitted over either avideo cable or via wireless communication. Video communication module 35provides for receiving video signals from a video medical device (or anyother video source) and then transmitting the video data to anothersystem, such as a hospital data system, which can retransmit the videodata as desired. Video communication module 35 provides for couplingintegrated device 10 to a display system such as a computer system withvideo hardware to view video of a medical procedure, video of a personwith whom a caregiver is communicating using device 10, or video fromany source.

[0047] Cellular paging and telephony module 30 further provides astandard cell telephone capability for integrated device 10. As withcell telephones, a speed dial capability can be provided to facilitateone button dialing of important numbers. As discussed above, a pagingsignal can encode a telephone number that integrated device 10 willdisplay and dial when the caregiver presses button 16 as shown in FIG.1.

[0048] In order to facilitate use of integrated device 10 in a medicalenvironment, a flexible sterile sheath, such as thin latex rubber, isprovided to allow its transportation into a sterile field of anoperating room. In its wrist band configuration, housing 10 issufficiently smooth and has a thin enough profile to fit beneath asurgical glove. In either case, use of thin rubber to provide a sterilesheath can still allow the caregiver to view the backlit liquid crystaldisplay.

[0049] An alternative embodiment integrated communication and data entrydevice 110, shown in FIGS. 5-6, is configured as a hand-held unit with agenerally rectangular housing 112, relatively large, tri-segment backlitLCD display 114, and several buttons 116. Integrated device 110 includesan IR transmitter that sends a coded IR signal 150 for reception by anIR receiver 152 as shown in FIG. 5. Display 114 as shown in FIG. 6illustrates exemplary patient data that can be downloaded from anduploaded to a remote system. Device 110 also includes a data interfaceconnector (not shown, but any suitable type such as a PCMCIA interface)to allow for directly coupling to a remote hospital data system 154 forexchange of data.

[0050] A head-mounted, voice-operated controller 210 for medicalequipment is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Controller 210 is configured with amicrophone 211 that extends towards the operator's mouth to minimizesensitivity to extraneous noise. By using speech recognition technologyas is known in the art, controller 210 can take oral commands from acaregiver and transmit them over a wireless communication link tocontrol medical equipment that is coupled to a receiver (not shown)configured to receive the commands. The speech recognition itself can beperformed by the receiver, with controller 210 only transmittingdigitized voice data. The voice command features of controller 210 canbe incorporated into integrated device 10.

[0051] The voice commands can be interlocked as shown in FIG. 7. Thecaregiver issues a voice command to move a surgical table 212 verticallyup with a “table up” oral command 214. The receiver (not shown)interprets command 214 and sends a “table up?” request to acknowledge216 that controller 210 transforms into an oral confirmation request tothe caregiver, who then confirms the command with a “yes” acknowledgment218. When table 212 has reached a sufficient height the caregiver issuesa “stop” command 220, which the receiver promptly acts upon withoutrequesting confirmation to stop vertical movement of table 212.

[0052] Although the invention has been described in detail withreference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modificationsexist within the scope and spirit of the present invention as describedand defined in the following claims.

1. An integrated personal communication and data entry devicecomprising: a portable housing; an internal controller coupled to thehousing; a paging device coupled to the controller; and a voicerecording device coupled to the controller.
 2. The integrated device ofclaim 1, wherein the paging device provides the controller.
 3. Theintegrated device of claim 1, wherein the voice recording deviceprovides the controller.
 4. The integrated device of claim 1, furthercomprising a cellular telephone transceiver coupled to the controller.5. The integrated device of claim 1, further comprising a radiotransceiver for two-way communication coupled to the controller.
 6. Theintegrated device of claim 1, further comprising an infrared transmittercoupled to the controller.
 7. The integrated device of claim 1, whereinthe voice recording device is configured to digitize voice data and totransform the digitized voice data into computer readable text data. 8.The integrated device of claim 1, further comprising a clock coupled tothe controller and wherein the voice recording device is configured torecord a time and date from the clock corresponding to recorded voicedata
 9. The integrated device of claim 1, further comprising an inputdevice to enter a user identification code and wherein the voicerecording device is configured to record voice data only after entry ofa predefined user identification code.
 10. The integrated device ofclaim 1, wherein the voice recording device is configured to recordvoice data only if the voice data corresponds to predefined voice printinformation.
 11. The integrated device of claim 1, wherein the voicerecording device is coupled to a transceiver configured to transmitvoice information over a wireless communication link to a hospital datasystem.
 12. The integrated device of claim 1, wherein the voicerecording device is configured to transmit patient identificationinformation to the hospital data system to enable storage of voiceinformation from the voice recording device related to a patient on thehospital data system.
 13. The integrated device of claim 1, furthercomprising an input device coupled to the housing, an output devicecoupled to the housing, a transceiver coupled to the housing to send andreceive information over a wireless communication link to a hospitaldata system, and wherein the integrated device is configured to acceptpatient identification information from the input device, to send thepatient identification information to the hospital data system, toreceive patient data from the hospital data system based on the patientidentification information, and to display the patient data on theoutput device.
 14. The integrated device of claim 13, wherein the voicerecording device provides the input device.
 15. The integrated device ofclaim 13, wherein the output device comprises a backlit liquid crystaldisplay.
 16. The integrated device of claim 13, wherein the integrateddevice is configured to provide at least one prompt on the output devicefor entry of patient status information based on patient data receivedfrom the hospital system.
 17. The integrated device of claim 1, furthercomprising an output device coupled to the housing and wherein theintegrated device is configured to provide at least one prompt on theoutput device to record at least one predetermined category of patientstatus information.
 18. The integrated device of claim 1, wherein thehousing is configured to be coupled to a caregiver's wrist.
 19. Theintegrated device of claim 1, wherein the pager is configured to coupleto a caregiver's wrist.
 20. The integrated device of claim 1, whereinthe pager is configured to couple to a belt around a caregiver's waist.21. The integrated device of claim 1, wherein the pager is configured tocouple to a strap around a caregiver's neck.
 22. The integrated deviceof claim 1, further comprising a flexible sterile sheath configured tosurround the housing.
 23. An integrated personal communication and dataentry device comprising: a portable housing; an internal controllercoupled to the housing; a paging device coupled to the controller; and acellular telephone transceiver coupled to the controller.
 24. Theintegrated device of claim 23, further comprising a radio transceiverfor two-way communication coupled to the controller.
 25. The integrateddevice of claim 23, further comprising an infrared transmitter coupledto the controller.
 26. The integrated device of claim 23, furthercomprising a voice recording device coupled to the controller.
 27. Anintegrated personal communication and data entry device comprising: aportable housing; an internal controller coupled to the housing; apaging device coupled to the controller; and a radio transceiver fortwo-way communication coupled to the controller.
 28. The integrateddevice of claim 27, further comprising a cellular telephone transceivercoupled to the controller.
 29. The integrated device of claim 27,further comprising an infrared transmitter coupled to the controller.30. The integrated device of claim 27, further comprising a voicerecording device coupled to the controller.
 31. An integrated personalcommunication and data entry device comprising: a portable housing; aninternal controller coupled to the housing; a paging device coupled tothe controller; and an infrared transmitter coupled to the controller.32. The integrated device of claim 31, further comprising a cellulartelephone transceiver coupled to the controller.
 33. The integrateddevice of claim 31, further comprising a radio transceiver for two-waycommunication coupled to the controller.
 34. The integrated device ofclaim 31, further comprising a voice recording device coupled to thecontroller.
 35. A voice operated controller for medical equipmentcomprising: a voice recorder configured to digitize and to interpretvoice commands; and a transmitter configured to send commands recognizedby the voice recorder to a medical equipment controller.
 36. Thecontroller of claim 35, wherein the transmitter is configured to sendcommands over a wireless communication link.
 37. The controller of claim35, further comprising a housing coupled to the voice recorder and tothe transmitter, the housing being configured to be coupled to acaregiver's head to position an input device for the voice recorder nearthe caregiver's mouth.